The Jeep brand posted a 49 percent sales increase compared with the same month a year ago. Sales of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the brandís volume leader, increased 211 percent in December versus a year ago. The iconic Jeep Wrangler and the Jeep Patriot, the affordable compact sport utility, both posted double-digit percentage sales increases in December compared with the same month in 2009.

For the year, Jeep brand sales were up 26 percent versus sales in 2009. The all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, showered with accolades during the year, was named in December a finalist for the 2011 North American Truck of the Year award. The all-new 2011 Dodge Durango was also named a finalist for this prestigious award. The winners will be announced at a news conference at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The awards are unique in the United States because, instead of being given by a single media outlet, they are awarded by a coalition of automotive journalists from the United States and Canada who represent magazines, television, radio, newspapers and websites.